Check the cases of importers or producers and distributors causing scarcity at drug stores.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government will take strict action against anyone found disrupting the supply of COVID-19 drugs, coordinator for emergency public activity restrictions (PPKM) for Java and Bali, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, has said.



The government will also sternly deal with producers and distributors found selling drugs at high prices or hoarding them, Pandjaitan, who is also Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, said in a written statement released on Thursday.



"Check the cases of importers or producers and distributors causing scarcity at drug stores," he told the National Police's Criminal Investigation Department, the Attorney General's Office, and the Public Prosecutor's Office.



The minister said the government is working hard to ensure the availability of COVID-19 drugs.


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"We will augment drug supplies. We are working hard for this," he assured.



He said the government has also formulated treatment standards for COVID-19 patients based on the severity of their symptoms.



To anticipate risks, the government will also focus on the treatment of COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms, he added.



Earlier this week, spokesperson for the Maritime Affairs and Investment Coordinating Ministry, Jodi Mahardi, had appealed to citizens to not indulge in speculation or hoarding of medicines, medical gear, and oxygen cylinders.



Regional administrations have formed task force units to ensure the availability of medicines, medical gear, and equipment, he told an online press conference that ANTARA joined from Jakarta on Monday (July 5, 2021).



"Community members may report anybody found hoarding and selling medicines above standard prices. Those dancing on the sufferings of other people commit a crime against humanity," Mahardi said.



The Indonesian government has set a retail price ceiling (HET) on 11 types of medicines amid the COVID-19 pandemic and is trying to ensure the availability of medical oxygen supplies, he added. (INE)


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Translator: Ade irma Junida/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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